I hope Eric's final design ends up being within 1 mm of your specs, otherwise you'll discard his hardware too!
A little flexibility could go a long way to save (start?) the project.

(12-30-2015 08:44 AM)walter b Wrote: If we want something new, however, taking over the baton from the 42S, there's no way around waiting for the Geckos being delivered at least in mylar cases, IMHO.

I think the right question is: do you HAVE to wait?
You could start the project core on substitute hardware keeping in mind portability to that target. You wouldn't abandon it completely, just gain some time by using different hardware.

Looking a few posts above, the DIY4X platform with the new display has been in that mylar case since Jan 2012, "almost ready" to start software development. It could take a couple more years to get a real keyboard manufactured. I admire your patience.

You also have to think of the price target: would you pay $300 for that hardware when you can have the Prime hardware for $120? Perhaps you would, but would everyone else?
Your target audience will be reduced significantly by using custom-hardware only. In the end, you could release the 43S for Prime hardware and simultaneously for the DIY5 or whatever it's called in final form.